The Older Adult Ministry of the Church of the Brethren focuses on three primary emphases:

1) Raising the church’s awareness of the need for intentional ministry for, by and with older adults

2) Developing resources that assist Church of the Brethren families, congregations, districts and retirement communities in the establishment of older adult ministries; and

3) Connecting these efforts in a supportive network.

Current Activities

a) Older Adult Month
The Older Adult Ministry of ABC encourages all Church of the Brethren congregations to utilize the month of May as a time to recognize and provide ministry about older adults. The purpose of Older Adult Month is to help us recognize aging as a natural part of living and to affirm the worth of persons in all stages of development and at all functional levels. Several new resources and two new bulletin inserts are now available by visiting here. (Released March 15)

b) Older Adults are able to access information through a new on-line resource from the Coalition to Advance Prescription Drug Education (CARxE) that will assist them to enroll in Medicare Part D. Click here to learn more about this resource.

c) "Life as an older adult"
All Brethren elders are invited to contribute an article responding to the question “How am I living out older adulthood?" A list of questions is provided to serve as dialogue points, and the writer is encouraged to select two or three of the questions which will shape and direct her/his article. These articles are intended to not only inspire readers but to serve as a catalyst for dialogue in churches.

d) Workshops, seminars, retreats and Annual Conference insight sessions deal with the interests, needs and concerns of older adults. The Age Wave workshop presents significant issues confronting older adults, the impending demographic trends likely to impact our society and church as well as ways that churches might respond. The majority of these training events offer continuing education credit for Church of the Brethren pastors.

e) Consult with churches, retirement communities, districts and agencies that desire to establish an intentional older adult ministry.

f) Identify and promote resources that support older adult ministry. This includes our web presence, bibliographies as well as published media available for purchase.

g) Sponsor the National Older Adult Conference, a biennial gathering of adults 50 years and older. This five-day event, intended to refresh body, mind and spirit, includes worship, daily Bible study, keynote addresses, workshops, recreational and entertainment activities. More than 1,100 Church of the Brethren older adults attend NOAC, which is held at Lake Junaluska Assembly, N.C.